Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act

NSBAA Program News as of July 9, 2025, 12:00 pm

Program News at of 7/9/25 @ 12:00pm

Wednesday Program Updates…

Grant Funding Nearing Completion. On March 31st 281 new Program applications were received, and all these applications are being screened. Progress is being made to deploy remaining available grant funds. We anticipate final grant funding decisions will be made by September 2025. We estimate we have less than $800,000 in grant funds available making 45 to 55 new grant awards possible.

Business Planning Assistance to Continue through 2025. Significant funding remains for customized Business Planning Assistance. The quality of this assistance provided by the Nebraska Business Development Center (https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php) is high. We recommend to those Program applicants not qualifying for grant funds to accept business planning assistance if offered by the Program.

Program to Discontinue. The Nebraska Legislature during the 2025 Legislative Session, at the recommendation of the Governor, has repealed the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act and no further new funding will be available. Once available funds are distributed GROW Nebraska will begin Program close out with the Department of Economic Development.

Stay Tuned on Developments. Stay tuned for updates each Wednesday at https://grownebraska.org/nebraska-small-business-assistance-act/. Remember, there are other small business assistance resources available to you through SourceLink Nebraska at https://sourcelinknebraska.com/.


Actualizaciones  del Programa de los miércoles …

Financiamiento de las subvenciones a punto de finalizar. El 31 de marzo se recibieron 281 nuevas solicitudes para el Programa, las cuales se están evaluando. Se está avanzando en la asignación de los fondos restantes disponibles. Estimamos que las últimas decisiones sobre la asignación de los fondos se tomarán en septiembre del 2025. Calculamos que disponemos de menos de $800,000 en fondos para las subvenciones, lo que permite otorgar entre 45 y 55 nuevas subvenciones.

La Asistencia para la Planificación Empresarial continuará durante el 2025. Se mantiene una cantidad significativa de fondos para el programa de Asistencia para la Planificación Empresarial personalizada. La calidad de esta asistencia, proporcionada por el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial de Nebraska (https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php), es excelente. Recomendamos a los solicitantes del Programa que no califiquen para recibir fondos de subvenciones que acepten la asistencia para la planificación empresarial que ofrece el Programa.

El Programa se suspenderá. La Legislatura de Nebraska, durante la Sesión Legislativa del 2025, por recomendación del Gobernador, derogó la Ley de Asistencia a las Pequeñas Empresas de Nebraska y no habrá nuevos fondos disponibles. Una vez distribuidos los fondos disponibles, GROW Nebraska iniciará el cierre del programa con el Departamento de Desarrollo Económico.

Manténgase al tanto de las novedades. Manténgase al tanto de las actualizaciones cada miércoles en https://grownebraska.org/nebraska-small-business-assistance-act/. Recuerde que hay otros recursos de asistencia para pequeñas empresas disponibles a través de SourceLink Nebraska en https://sourcelinknebraska.com/.

Benefit Overview

  • If the NSBAA screening team determines an applicant’s business plan and application are underprepared for grant or professional service benefits, applicants will have the opportunity to work with a service provider on their business plan and financial projections.  
  • Professional services can include a variety of services completed by third-party providers. Allowable services are outlined in benefit requirements.
  • Maximum benefit assistance: Receive up to $10,000 as a standalone benefit or combine professional services with a grant—$25,000 for new businesses or $12,500 for existing businesses.
  • Existing Businesses may qualify for a grant to refine their business and support the continuation of growth.
  • Maximum benefit assistance: Applicants may receive funding through a grant and/or professional services, but the total combined amount cannot exceed $12,500.
  • New Businesses may qualify for grant dollars to assist with the startup of a new business.
  • Maximum benefit assistance: Applicants may receive funding through a grant and/or professional services, but the total combined amount cannot exceed $25,000.

Benefit Application Requirements

  • The applicant’s business must be in Nebraska.
  • Applicant must currently or planning to be a Nebraska resident.
  • Applicant is 19+ years of age.
  • Applicant must be legally in the United States.
  • The business is for-profit.
  • The applicant does not have a material interest in another business.
  • The applicant has at least 50% or more ownership share in the proposed business.
  • The applicant is actively engaged in the business’ development and operation.
  • The applicant provides a business plan with financial projections.
  • Applicants must meet all basic requirements.
  • This benefit is offered to applicants with plans determined to be insufficient for other benefit consideration.
  • Applicants must meet all basic requirements.
  • The requested assistance includes qualified professional service areas.
    • Professional service areas include: accounting, budgeting, tax return preparation, human resources, payroll processing, financial planning and investments, debt management, technology coaching, and financial statement review.
  • There is a reasonable budget for such assistance.
  • Applicants must meet all basic requirements.
  • Business activation occurred within 5 years or 60 months of application.
  • The applicant’s individual current net worth is $200,000 or less, excluding their primary residence.
  • To assist with the processing of your application, please have your 2024 taxes completed.
  • The applicant’s business plan must include historical financials, for the years they have been operating, including projected gross revenues or sales, costs of doing business (itemized), and net revenues or gross profits (e.g., gross revenues minus costs of doing business.)
  • The applicant’s business plan must include projected financials, for at least three years, including projected gross revenues or sales, costs of doing business (itemized), and net revenues or gross profits (e.g., gross revenues minus costs of doing business.)
  • The applicant’s historical gross sales or revenues (e.g., sales before costs) cannot exceed year-over-year growth of more than 25%  
  • There is an itemized budget for grant assistance being requested.
  • Disclosure of grant requirements with affirmation by the applicant.
  • The applicant and their business are in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, professional certifications, licenses, and/or property permits.
  • Applicants must meet all basic requirements.
  • Business activation occurred within 24 months of application.
  • The applicant’s individual taxable income for 2024 is $55,000 or less.
  • The applicant’s current net worth is $200,000 or less, excluding their primary residence.
  • To assist with the processing of your application, please have your 2024 taxes completed.
  • The applicant’s business plan should include at least financial projections for one year including projected gross revenues or sales, costs of doing business (itemized), and net revenues or gross profits (e.g., gross revenues minus costs of doing business.)
  • There is an itemized budget for grant assistance being requested.
  • Disclosure of grant requirements with affirmation by the applicant.
  • The applicant and their business are in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, professional certifications, licenses, and/or property permits.

Any applications that are incomplete or do not meet the requirements outlined above will be denied.

If you have previously received funding, you are ineligible to apply again. If you have received Business Planning Assistance, you may apply for a grant or professional services.

For Spanish Language report, please contact Mabel via email at nsbaagrant@cfra.org.

Resource Providers

To apply for Program benefits, applicants must be shovel-ready, meaning:

  • They are working with a resource provider.
  • They have a business plan that clearly identifies the purpose and activities of the business, the target market, sales, and financial projections for one to three years. 

These resources can help you review and fine-tune your business game plan, including your targeted customer markets and projected revenues.

  • Your community’s economic development director.
  • Local bank.
  • A Certified Public Accountant
  • An experienced local businessperson.
  • Your regional Development District.
  • Entrepreneurship Centers
  • Start-up Incubators and Academies
  • Local Chambers of Commerce

Contact Us

Whether you’re just starting out or are currently operating your business, GROW Nebraska® is ready to help. We’re here to listen and learn about your needs, so that we can provide resources tailored to your specific situation.
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